Drunk tube driver arrested

25th March, 2014 by Lucy Shaw

A London Underground driver has been arrested after allegedly being drunk in charge of a train.

As reported by the Evening Standard, the incident was reported to the police after a colleague detected alcohol on the man’s breath while he was at the controls of a northbound Jubilee Line train last Saturday.

“I can confirm that officers were called to Queensbury station shortly after 3pm on Saturday.

“A 50-year-old man has been arrested under the Transport and Works Act and has been released on police bail until 2 April pending further enquiries,” a British Transport Police spokeswoman told the paper.

While the Jubilee line runs automatically, meaning the driver only operates the doors, being found drunk in charge of a tube train can result in criminal charges and instant dismissal.

“On Saturday afternoon a train operator was relieved from duty after concerns were raised about his conduct,” a Transport for London spokesman told the ES.

“The train operator was subsequently taken into custody by British Transport Police. The member of staff is suspended while investigations by ourselves and the BTP are continuing,” he added.